Communication Studies Department
- Course Descriptions
COM 111 Public Speaking
The course focuses on speech preparation, organization, audience analysis, style, listening, and overcoming speech fright. (Note: Students may take only one of either COM 111, COM 112, or COM 115 for credit. Fall, spring)
COM 112 Contest Public Speaking
Theory and practice of preparing speeches for delivery in formal and contest situations. Students are expected to attend three interscholastic speech tournaments and compete in at least two of the following: informative speaking, persuasive speaking, speaking to entertain, and/or communication analysis. (Note: Students may take only one of either COM 111, COM 112, or COM 115 for credit. Fall)
COM 115 Scientific and Technical Public Speaking
An introduction to public speaking for students majoring in scientific or technical fields. Includes the same foundational material as introduction to public speaking, including delivery, argumentation, persuasion, and audience analysis. This material is then applied to specific contexts common in technical fields, with special attention to distinguishing expert or lay audiences and the use of technical vocabulary and notation systems. (Note: Students may take only one of either COM 111, COM 112, or COM 115 for credit.)
COM 120 Mass Media and Popular Culture
This course is a survey of the mass media in popular culture. Students will examine the different types of mass media and will gain an understanding of what popular culture is and why it is important. The course examines the importance of media criticism and the impact that media have had on culture and society. Students are encouraged to think critically about media and media consumption.
FLM 216 Film Production I
An introductory level study of how to tell a story utilizing films visual language while simultaneously learning the expressive potential of the moving image. Each student, in groups of four rotating between cast and crew, will write, shoot, and edit four black & white films. The third and fourth film projects incorporate a sound track. This course emphasizes the collaborative effort of film production while encouraging individual storytelling through films vast array of aesthetic approaches. All work is screened and critiqued in class.
COM 243 Studio Production
An introductory television production course utilizing three cameras in a live studio environment. This course emphasizes the demands of live television production, such as collaborative team effort, preproduction, time management, and the importance of deadlines. Through a series of exercises students learn the skills required to produce a live 30 minute news magazine program.
COM 247 Documentary
An introductory video production course which explores documentarys non-fiction art form. Through a series of four video projects students learn the elements and structure of stories that observe the world through a lens. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of research and story development as well as learning to collaborate in a team during production and post-production. This course explores the influence documentaries have on our culture as well as the effect culture has on reality based stories. Familiarity with non-linear computer-based editing software is advantageous.
COM 254 Interpersonal Communication
A study of the dynamics of human interaction through verbal and non-verbal messages; emphasis on factors that build relationships and help to overcome communication barriers. (Spring)
COM 280 Introduction to Communication Studies
An introductory survey course designed to acquaint students with the world of ideas that serves as the foundation for the field of communication studies. (Fall)
FLM 312 Film Production II
An intermediate 16mm production course which builds on the lessons and skills learned in FLM 216 with the addition of negative color photography, synchronized sound, and editing with non-linear computer-based software. Each student creates four narrative film projects with a collaborative team where they rotate through the crew positions of writer/director, cinematographer, sound, and lighting. This course places a premium on story concept, cinematic aesthetics, editing impact, and soundtrack design. In formal classroom discussions each student project concept is pitched, analyzed, and critiqued by peers and faculty for its artistry, audience appeal, and technical aspects prior to filming and then again upon completion.
COM 321 Business and Professional Speaking
This course explores advanced issues in public address including delivery and performance, vocal control, persuasion, audience adaptation, argument construction, and speaker credibility. The class uses a series of speeches, ranging from impromptu speaking and persuasion to job interviewing and sales presentations, in order to hone students’ speaking skills. (Prereq.: COM 111 or 115)
COM 329 Intercultural Communication
This course explores cultural differences and their implications for communication, including differences in values, norms, social interaction, and code systems. (Spring: alternate years)
COM 345 Organizational Communication
An examination of communication in organizational settings. Focuses on topics such as superior-subordinate relationships, management styles, motivation of employees, organizational culture, effective use of meetings, and sources of communication problems.
COM 348 Digital Video Production
An intermediate video production course that explores the potential of digital cinema. Emphasis with be placed on the visual aesthetic of the digital image while exploring the craft of storytelling through a variety of forms. Collaborating in teams of four, each student will produce an exercise in each of films three main genres (narrative, documentary, and experimental). The fourth project allows the student to creatively express themselves through a story form of their choice. This course is intended to expose students to a broad range of production techniques, professional production values, and the influence digital medium exerts on our culture. In formal classroom discussions each student project concept is pitched, analyzed, and critiqued by peers and faculty for its artistry, audience appeal, and technical aspects prior to principle photography and then again upon completion.
COM 351 Argumentation
Develops critical thinking skills by study of the theory and practice of argument, evidence, fallacies, and refutation. Includes how to build and analyze public arguments that confront students in their everyday lives. (Prereq.: COM 111 or 115 or consent of instructor; ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111; and pass CT assessment or GST 100. Fall)
COM 352 Persuasion
Examination of the process of influence in a variety of social contexts, paying special attention to the psychological aspects of persuasion. (Prereq.: MPG 3; COM 111, 112, or 115 or consent of instructor; and a Quantitative Foundations course. Please see full list of prerequisites in Records and Registration. Spring)
COM 355 Small Group Communication
A study of group dynamics and leadership with emphasis on decision making, leadership styles, and conflict management. (Spring)
COM 356 Advanced Interpersonal Communication
This course explores theories and concepts from communication studies related to our understanding of self, other, relationships, and what it means to lead a compassionate life. As such, it provides students with an opportunity to probe deeper into theories and concepts introduced in COM 254 Interpersonal Communication. (Prereq.: COM 254 or consent of instructor)
FLM 420 Issues in Contemporary Cinema
This course will examine cultural, artistic, commercial, and theoretical concerns that occur in world cinema today. Our purpose is to help students both contextualize the cinema they see in appropriate and insightful ways, and to provide a sophisticated critical apparatus to help them read films as texts and to interpret the cinema’s larger societal value and impact. (Prereq.: ENL 371)
COM 405 Nonverbal Communication
This course focuses on the nonverbal elements of communication. Nonverbal communication encompasses all communication except the spoken word. In order to fully explore the functions of nonverbal communication in everyday life, students will conduct a research project that looks at nonverbal communication in depth. (Prereq: COM 280)
COM 480 Public Relations/Promotional Communication
Public relations in the modern world of communication, marketing, and business. An overview of public relations as a career and a survey of basic promotional communication in profit and nonprofit organizations. (Evenings)
COM 490 Communication Studies Keystone: Critical Conversations about Communication and Vocation
A synthesis of communication theories and application of those theories to each student’s sense of vocation. This course satisfies the keystone requirement.
COM 495 Communication Topics
Selected topics in communication with emphasis on the use of primary sources and methodology of research.
Internships and Independent Study Courses
COM 199 Internship
COM 299 Directed Study
COM 399 Internship
COM 499 Independent Study/Research
FLM 399 Internship
FLM 499 Independent Study/Research
Electives
See department listings for the following approved electives:
ART 132
ART 224
ART 225
ART 330
BUS 242
BUS 340
BUS 379
BUS 440
CSC 160
ENL 226
ENL 227
ENL 228
ENL 241
ENL 327
ENL 328
ENL 430
MKT 252
MKT 352
MKT 355
MKT 450
PHI 230
POL 342
POL 375
PSY 215
PSY 315
PSY 325
PSY 371
PSY 373
PSY 385
SOC 231
SOC 265
SOC 349
SOC 362
SOC 363
SOC 375
THR 230
THR 232
THR 350
